4月16日のまにら新聞から

Crising strands thousands in ports, makes landfall in Eastern Samar

Thousands of passengers were stranded after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised a public storm warning signal as Tropical Depression Crising ?made landfall over ?Eastern ?Samar on ?Saturday.

As of 12 noon yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard has recorded a total of 4,525 passengers, 35 vessels, 11 motor boats and 379 rolling cargoes in the ports of Central Visayas, Bicol, Eastern and Western Visayas.

In a television interview, Commander Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman said the suspension of trips in the affected areas was started around 7 pm last Friday.

“These number would probably still increase as there are some more who would be traveling,” he said.

“As a matter of procedure we should lift the suspension once PAGASA lifts the warning signal over the area. However, we give some discretion to the station commander if the current situation would not be safe for travelers,” he added.

As of 4pm Tropical Depression Crising was last spotted at 50 km east-southeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kph and gustiness of up to 62 kph while moving west northwest at the speed of 17 kph and central pressure of 1,00?4? hectopascals.